Michael Manning

Says painter Michael Manning, "Throughout my life I have been attracted to the stories in mythology and religion, and this has been expressed in much of my work. At an early age I questioned the meaning and purpose behind these stories and the messages they were imparting. Initially I rejected them, but through exploring them more deeply in my work and in my life, I came to truly appreciate how diverse yet similar these stories and their messages were."

"My paintings began to use stories within mythology, along with my perspective of right and wrong, as a framework for addressing current issues faced by society. With the use of traditional mythology as a foundation, I see the new work as a kind of new mythology — new stories commenting on current issues. These stories have been constructed from my individual point of view, but reflect universal significance and meaning."

About the project

Nothing says "everyday item" like a toilet. That's why painter Michael Manning, who is currently working on a series showcasing common household objects, was the ideal person to work with the KOHLER Purist® Hatbox® toilet. Manning creates narratives by reexamining history and mythology against current events. The tankless Hatbox toilet inspired Manning to paint the ancient figure Artemis alongside the modern toilet on a nearly eight-foot column. "The myth of Artemis and the Hatbox represent timeless classics," says Manning. Whether you walk around the painting or the Hatbox itself, you'll see that this toilet defines "timeless classic"—its minimalist design fits seamlessly into any space, from a Tuscan-style villa to a sleek NYC apartment.